Robert Shwartzman takes a step closer to FIA Formula 3 title in Monza Race 2

9 September 2019/smp

SMP Racing driver Robert Shwartzman scored one point, finishing eighth in Sunday's race of the seventh FIA Formula 3 round, which took place on September 6-8 at Monza in Italy.

On Saturday, Robert took a win, so according to the rules of the reversing grid, he started from eighth position in Race 2 on Sunday. By the end of the race, Shwartzman got close to his rivals in front, but could not pass them due to insufficient downforce. The Russian finished eighth and kept a noticeable advantage in the overall standings over the rest of the drivers - his main rivals did not score points in the second race. The SMP Racing driver has 180 points and is ahead of Jehan Daruvala by 33 points.

“The race was difficult on Sunday,” Robert Shwartzman. “The start was good, then I was forced off the track onto the grass. In the first turn I had to cut the chicane. I lost two positions, then gained one on the first lap, fighting with my teammate and overtaking him on the outside in the Ascari turn. Then I hoped that I would have enough speed to catch up with the drivers ahead and pass them. I got close, but, unfortunately, could not break through. We made a little mistake with the downforce - there was too much of it, and on the straight line I could not overtake other cars. The amount of traffic made the last lap difficult. We fought with Christian Lundgaard for a point and I kept eighth position. In general, the weekend was good. Now the last round in Sochi is ahead, I hope it will be successful.”

The final, eighth round of the FIA Formula 3 season will take place on September 27-29 in Sochi as part of the Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix.